Iman’s Global Chic Collection

I was surprised to discover that supermodel Iman had a line of accessories over at HSN. But her collection, Global Chic, is surprisingly cool. Usually HSN collections can come off looking cheaply made but the supermodel-turned-businesswoman apparently wasn’t having any of that! Read more

Get Into the Spirit of St. Patty’s Day with Green Handbags!

So it’s St. Patrick’s Day and you may be one of those people who starts drinking green beer at 10am. Or you might just want to get in the spirit of the holiday by going green. And that could mean anything from a green party hats and four leaf clover pins to plain green clothes. Read more

Amber Rose (and her Accessories) are the Highlight of Paris Fashion Week?

The most talked about thing at Paris Fashion Week is not the designers, or the trends, or even the celeb spottings. Instead, it is what Amber Rose is wearing! You ask who is Amber Rose? Read more

Oscar Nominee Taraji Henson Loves Lambertson Truex!

I first remember Taraji Henson from her role in Baby Boy where she played Tyrese’s crazy on-again off-again girlfriend. Overall it was a pretty bad movie and I have to admit I didn’t think her career would go very far after that. Her next memorable role for me was Hustle & Flow where she played one of Terrence Howard’s ‘girls’. I thought her role was a weird one – her character was nervous (and nerve-wracking) throughout most of the film, but it at least it showed her acting chops more than Baby Boy. But over the past year, Taraji has transformed her career and style and this Oscar nominee is becoming one to watch - in both areas. Last year she had a supporting role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which was a huge step up from her past films. Kudos to her! But I specifically love her style evolution which is perhaps due to the rise of her star (now that she’s been nominated, more designers are probably clamoring to dress her and she also probably has a better glam squad now). Whatever the reason, I’m loving her style as of late and of course that includes her bags. Last week at the Oscar Nominee Luncheon she wore a chic pink dress suit with hot dusty rose Christian Louboutin Patent Platform Pumps (that I want so badly) and the Lambertson Truex Paxton Clutch in silver metallic. Then at the Director’s Guild Awards, she wore a black fitted Kaufman Franco dress and Lambertson Truex’s Signature Framed Clutch in Ring Lizard. Both clutches come from Lambertson Truex’s Spring ‘09 bag collection and are hot, hot, hot! Much like Taraji is now.

Bags available at Lambertson Truex boutiques (888.800.0970), New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, or shop Lambertson Truex online.

Granitz

Get Your Fashion and Accessories Fix with the new SoapNet.com!

To everyone who entered, please email info@whatshaute.com with your email address so I can contact the winner. Thanks!

For me, shopping is escapism. Buying new stuff makes me feel so relaxed and free. Same goes for soap operas. Yes, I am a soap addict as much as I’m a handbag addict. I especially love new episodes of daytime soaps like Days of Our Lives, and reruns of primetime classics like Melrose Place and 90210, so SoapNet naturally is one of my favorite stations. And now they’ve got a new website - with the same great soaps and now beauty, fashion and entertainment news! The new SoapNet is “a one-stop destination to indulge your passion for television drama, celebrity life, glamour and style.”

To celebrate the launch of the new site, SoapNet has partnered with What’s Haute to give away some cool stuff including:

-a Marc Jacobs wallet
-Barney’s Co-Op giftcards
-iTunes giftcards
-Pinkberry giftcards
-SoapNet T shirts

Want to win? Here’s what you need to do:

-Visit the new SoapNet.com
-Leave a comment about the new SoapNet or about your favorite soap in the comments section below!

Winners will be randomly selected. Contest ends 11:59 pm, August 31, 2008.

What’s In at TJ Maxx

I’ve always said that no matter how much money I have, I will still do bargain shopping. Don’t get me wrong, I am a high fashion girl - always have been and always will be, but I also love looking for deals. Call it the sport of shopping.

So I visited TJ Maxx last weekend just browsing around and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this Katherine Kwei ‘Donna’ metallic lambskin clutch. At TJ Maxx? Really? It was in perfect condition, beautifully crafted, and mine mine mine! I also grabbed an Emilio Pucci coin purse, and a Michael Kors wallet. Total cost: $260. Unbelievable.

What haute deals have you found lately?

Beyonce & Jay-Z’s white haute wedding

Everyone’s buzzing about the alleged wedding between power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z. Did they or didn’t they tie the knot? Who cares! We just want to know who she was wearing, what she was carrying, and the size of the ‘roc’ on her engagement ring! Word has it that the bride wore a white, Parisian-designed wedding gown. As we’ve seen on the red carpet, Beyonce favors mermaid- and Cinderella-style full-length gowns so we’re pretty sure that’s the look she replicated on her wedding day. And as far as what she was carrying, it was probably a custom designed clutch from the likes of Giorgio Armani, likely covered in diamonds! The pair already has matching ‘IV’ tattoos on their ring fingers, but we’re sure Jay-Z pulled out all stops to grace Beyonce’s finger with the biggest, brightest diamond ring ever seen! We’re anxiously awaiting the (leaked) wedding pics which are sure to surface soon…

~This has been a What’s Haute sponsored post.

A Celi for my ‘Celly’

The bag that I’m currently carrying is a lovely oversized satchel, since I’ve been known to tote around everything. And I mean EVERYTHING! So of course, I can’t ever find what I’m looking for which is usually my cell phone, credit card, drivers license, and lip gloss. Despite the multiple inside pockets, everything seems to get lost in the black hole that seems to be inside my bag. So when I heard about the Celicase, I felt like it was the perfect solution to my needs. My Celi is small, lightweight, stylish and sturdy and holds everything I need to grab fast.

Made of Turkish leather and available in tons of colors, the Celi has both a removable clip (which also doubles as a money clip), and a detachable shoulder strap, in case you want to carry it as a bag. It’s priced at $60, which is a tad bit expensive for a wallet-style bag, but the materials and bag are both of excellent quality, and in comparison to the money you probably spend on those “It” bags, its money well spent.

Fendi Strikes Again

Now this blog is mainly reserved for haute handbags and purses, with the occasional fugly one, and some fabulous fashion. But leave it to Fendi to make me stray from my usual and report on the fugliest, most impractical designer shoes ever to walk the face of this earth.

I ask once again, WTF FENDI???

I think someone at the House of Fendi is playing some cruel tricks on the fashion world, consistently designing crap to get us all to scratch our heads and become really confused. And then maybe once we all get to the point where we just can’t take it anymore, the folks at Fendi will yell ‘April Fools!’ or something like that and things will get back to normal. Ok, maybe not.

So, I don’t know what’s worse - the silver sequins covering the shoes or the stupid kitten heel underneath the huge wedge heel, or the patent slides with orange stitching and a wood grain heel. Oh, there are so many issues here. These shoes have to be some of the worst things I’ve ever seen. Fashion should be progressive and cutting-edge but when it becomes a joke, its game over.

Came straight to this page? Visit What’s Haute for more haute bags!

Even More Desirable Handbags

A year after its debut, Begeren (Dutch for desire) is back on the scene with its new Spring collection! The new bags are just as distinctive and just as haute as the first season, with tons of brightly colored leathers and unique shapes and styles. I love the fact that the entire collection is affordable enough that you can buy several pieces, unique enough that you won’t see everyone carrying one, and the bags aren’t so trendy that you have to stash them in the back of your closet next year.

Here are my favorites:

The ‘Moorea Tote’ is back, in new colors, and detailed with grommets in place of studs. I love this honey-colored leather - perfect for every season.

This bag, the ‘Belmont Shopper’ is pictured in my favorite color - hot pink, and it’s a great everyday tote. I like to carry a lot of stuff everyday so I could use this to stash my shoes, work papers, water, magazine, book, and so much more. I also like the playful sliders - a throwback to my childhood.

I love the crisscross detailing on the ‘Hillhurst Satchel’, and the ability to convert it from a shoulder bag to a handheld tote. It’s a great day bag and the red leather is very versatile.

How adorable is this? The Wicklow Clear Quartz Coin Purse Necklace serves double duty! No need to match your jewelry with your bag - it’s all in one! It’s the perfect solution to carrying your money without stuffing it into your pockets or wearing a dreadful fanny pack!

I’m happy to announce that Begeren has partnered with What’s Haute to give away one of their fabulous bags! We voted it the best new bag of 2006 and now you can own it - the Moorea Tote (in the ever-popular Shamrock color). It’s no longer for sale but I’ve got one to giveaway, just for you! All you have to do is email me your answers to the following questions:

1. What new colors this season is the ‘Moorea Tote’ available in?
2. What are the names of the four new styles currently pictured on the site’s homepage?
3. In what city are Begeren’s bags made?

Good luck!

Contest is now closed! Thanks to all who entered!